Documents and the Food Safety Course

Most kitchens on Syzl ask food makers to have two documents on file: a Food Handler Certificate and Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance. You keep both in the Documentation section of your profile, so hosts can see you're ready to cook.

Where to find your documents

1. Open the Me tab.

2. Tap Documentation.

3. Check the country shown at the top right (CA or US). Tap it to switch if you cook in the other country, since requirements differ by country. Switching here also changes your default country.

You'll see a card for each document.

Upload your Food Handler Certificate

If you're selling food to the public, Syzl requires an active Food Handler Certificate (sometimes called a Food Safety Certificate).

1. On the Food Handler Certificate card, tap Add my own certificate.

2. Upload a clear photo or PDF of your certificate. The name on it should match your profile.

3. Enter the certification period, including the expiry date.

In the US: your certificate must be an ANSI-accredited Food Protection Manager Certification (for example, ServSafe or National Registry).

Our team checks each upload. If a document isn't valid, we'll let you know so you can upload a new one. When a certificate expires, the card shows it as Expired. Upload a new one so you can keep booking.

No certificate yet? Take the online course

For kitchens in Canada, we've partnered with SafeCheck to offer an online Food Handler course. The certificate you earn is accepted at any Syzl kitchen in your province.

• The course takes about 5 to 6 hours, followed by a one-hour proctored exam.

• Your access to the course and certificate expires after 30 days, so plan to finish within that time.

• If you get the course while booking a kitchen, you need to complete it within 30 days of checkout.

To start, tap Get certification on the Food Handler Certificate card.

Cost: you'll see the course price, plus tax, before you pay.

First-booking discount: buy the course before your first booking and get $25 off that booking.

The SafeCheck course is offered in Canada only. For kitchens in the US, you need an ANSI-accredited course and certification, such as ServSafe. See Food handling certificate.

Add your insurance

You need valid proof of Commercial General Liability insurance on file before you can send a booking request. This insurance covers claims of third-party injury or property damage caused by your business.

1. On the Commercial General Liability Insurance card, tap Add my own insurance.

2. Choose your coverage amount ($2 million or $5 million).

3. Upload your insurance certificate and enter the policy start and end dates.

If you change your coverage amount later, you'll need to upload a new document.

Need a policy? In Canada, our insurance partner Zensurance can give you a quote: get a quote from Zensurance. In the US, see FLIP (Food Liability Insurance Program). For more, see the Insurance FAQ.

Booking something other than food prep?

If you won't be selling food, tick I am not selling my food on the Food Handler Certificate card. Message the host before you request a booking to confirm what they need. See Food Handling Certificate for more.